ELECTIONS / PALOS VERDES PENINSULA : Parcel Tax Proposal in RPV, 2 Council Races Quiet So Far

A proposal to raise taxes to deal with a growing budget deficit and city council races in two cities will be decided by voters on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in the April 14 municipal elections.

In Rancho Palos Verdes, the electorate will decide whether to adopt a parcel tax designed to raise $3 million a year. City officials say the new tax would generate enough money to wipe out the city’s budget deficit and give the city financial breathing room.

So far, no organized opposition has appeared to the measure, a top city official said. City Manager Paul Bussey said that if the new tax isn’t passed by a simple majority, the city faces more cuts in services.

Commercial property, single-family dwellings and condominium units would pay an additional $200 a year. Apartment owners would be taxed $75 a unit, and vacant land would be taxed at $50 an acre, officials said.

If approved, the tax would last four years and then expire. It would also contain a hardship provision that would allow certain owners to defer payment until the property is sold, officials said.

Bussey said the City Council would appoint a citizens advisory committee to recommend how the new tax money would be spent.

Voters in Rolling Hills and Palos Verdes Estates will elect City Council members April 14. Each city has three candidates running for two seats; the campaigns are quiet and no major issues have emerged, officials said.

In Rolling Hills, incumbents Godfrey Pernell, 69, a dentist, and Thomas F. Heinsheimer, 52, a space scientist, are running against newcomer Frank Hill, 56, a retired firefighter and businessman. Hill said he has no quarrel with either incumbent, explaining, “I just want to give the voters a choice.”

In Palos Verdes Estates, incumbents James Nyman, 45, an information services specialist, and Raymond Mattingly, 68, a retired hospital administrator, are opposed by Ruth McGrew, a retired teacher who declined to give her age.

“I think every election should have choice and, since no one wanted to run, I had to do it myself,” she said.

In the council races, the top two vote-getters will be seated.

The treasurer’s post in Palos Verdes Estates is also open. Edward Ritscher, an aerospace project manager, is running unopposed for the job held by Hazel Elder, who is retiring after 22 years.